Model Use of Innovative MEDLOG Data Management Technologies and Industry Best Practices: Architecture, Data Transactions Model and Prototype for a Highly Scalable, Integrated, And Just in Time Defense Medical Logistics Enterprise to support Next Gen Theater/Operational Medicine

Purpose

This solicitation, issued by MTEC, represents a Request for Project Proposals (RPP) for MTEC’s support of the USAMRMC Medical Simulation and Information Sciences technology objective.

The Defense Medical Logistics Standard System (DMLSS) is currently undergoing a technical refresh activity in which it will move from a client server infrastructure to an open architecture, web based system. This transformation will signal the introduction of the new generation system called LogiCole. While this will take a couple of years to complete, the military would like to look beyond this immediate action and identify emerging technologies that could potentially improve the overall performance of the system to enable higher functionality to Defense Medical Logistics users. Therefore, the objective of this MTEC RPP is to perform an in-depth analysis of current industry/academic best practices, future trends and technical capabilities, and rapidly emerging technologies, such as blockchain, predictive modeling for logistics pre-positioning, data requirements for drone tracking/delivery, 3D printing and other innovative approaches, for evaluation and potential adoption.

The end goal is to improve Defense Medical Logistics Information Technology (DMLIT) systems to support medical care to injured and ill warfighters and their families. The Joint medical logistics functional community requires a study of data management tools and methodologies in use within private industry and under development in academia that allows for cutting-edge, highly transactional data compilation, advanced data analytics, and global inventory management. This research effort will expedite the realization of Department of Defense (DoD) ability to leverage information technologies and practices thereby significantly advancing the integration of cutting edge technologies with the modernization of Defense Medical Logistics Enterprise Solution (DML-ES). With this research, DML-ES modernization will have added opportunities to integrate higher functionality into the technologies and improved aptitude ultimately lending to DML-ES interaction with Joint Operational Medicine Information Systems (JOMIS) efforts for healthcare and readiness.

As a result of the analysis, the next objective of this RPP is to develop a prototype that provides conceptual architecture, a proof-of-concept demonstration of integrated technologies, and technical development documents that leverage industry best practices and solutions for integration to advance the planned LogiCole framework. This two phased approach includes identifying, demonstrating and developing a conceptual roadmap for the integration of technologies, exposing the next generation of medical logistics planning and supply chain management enhancements for LogiCole.

Elements of the prototype could include a model of a highly scalable, industry standards-based infrastructure, and new technology applications providing highly reliable, high-integrity transaction processing across all aspects of medical supply chain and asset lifecycle management. Support for the various end-user communities within segmented, authorized and authenticated communities of interest with specific subsets of business transaction processes within the overall logistics lifecycle would be highly desired. One embodiment of the reference model and implementation could include the concept of “flow-through” and proactive customer business intelligence and capacity planning/forecasting, ordering, provisioning, fulfillment, sustainment, and asset tracking as well as auditing. These would be supported by a secure, zoned infrastructure within multiple federated Military Health System (MHS) internal and external trading domains, networks and partners. The solution could demonstrate feasibility and approach for business transformation across all aspects of Defense Medical Logistics as well as the underlying supporting architecture and model(s). These must encompass core functional and data management processes within conventional DML-ES functions including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), emerging medical asset tracking technologies Real Time Location Systems/Radio Frequency Identification (RTLS/RFID/latest barcode technologies), Electronic Data interchange (EDI) for purchase order generation and fulfillment amongst healthcare trading partners within a trusted community, and other core back-end process enhancements including registration and ongoing configuration, data management and administration of the communities of interest with their business objects and logging/monitoring functions. Further, integration with the electronic health record system (in the case of DoD, the MHS-GENESIS/Joint Operational Medicine Information System (JOMIS) Theater Electronic Health record platform) will be considered an essential component of the reference model and prototype. Most notably, new elements of high interest and value (that also will need to interoperate seamlessly with existing infrastructure) could include use of predictive models for medical capacity planning and forecasting that, similar to high-reliability logistics in the e-commerce space, employ advanced analytics and algorithms as well as machine learning to predict and project inventory placement requirements and other logistics-related resources on a just in time basis from source to destination. This must further support ongoing sustainment purposes medical asset lifecycle tracking and auditing.

MTEC will host a Proposers Conference tentatively scheduled for the morning of the November 13, 2017 that will be conducted by webinar. There will be a set of briefing slides made available through signature of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to the webinar. After the webinar, there will be a chance to have 15 minute private Q&A sessions with MTEC and the DoD) concerning this RPP. Further instructions and points of contact will be forthcoming to allow you to enroll, receive the briefing, and sign up for a private session.

Points of Contact

For inquiries, please direct your correspondence to Biomedical Research Associate Chuck Hutti, Ph.D. at Chuck.Hutti@ati.org.